The bundle comes with an Xbox 360 console and a Kinect for a significantly lower price at $99, a set that would normally cost around $300. However, it requires the customer to sign a two-year contract to XBLA with a gold membership at $14.99 a month. The membership alone would cost just under $360 for the full two years.

The real question is if customers who haven't been able to afford the console before will take the bait. Even if they don't, it's a win-win for the company and it's a smart move for Microsoft in these uncertain economic times, especially since spending overall may have reached a standstill last month.